São Paulo home debut: 21-year-old Brazilian Rafael Câmara replaces Ocon for Interlagos F1 race

Brazilian driver Rafael Câmara will make his Formula 1 debut in his home race this weekend. Haas (TGR Haas F1 Team) announced on November 3 that the 21-year-old will replace Esteban Ocon at the São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, partnering Ollie Bearman. The team also confirmed that Ocon will not return to a Haas race seat this season. (Cover photo is a file photo of the Interlagos circuit.)

Ocon replaced for a second straight race; team principal confirms no return this season

Ocon's exit did not come out of nowhere. At the previous race, the Mexico City Grand Prix, Haas had already replaced him with Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa; São Paulo is the second race in a row in which he has been stood down. Team principal Ayao Komatsu said on November 3 that the team had notified Esteban Ocon that he will not return to a race seat with TGR Haas F1 Team this season. Haas currently sits seventh in the constructors' standings, while Ocon is 16th in the drivers' standings, his best result of the season an eighth place in Azerbaijan; his plans for 2027 have not been announced.

Ferrari junior and Formula 2 leader; home debut eagerly awaited

Câmara is a Ferrari junior driver, currently leads the Formula 2 standings, and is already signed to Haas for 2027. For him, São Paulo is a fitting stage for a debut: a home race at Interlagos, whose elevation changes and famous Bico de Pato hairpin show little mercy to a rookie's learning curve, but Brazilian fans have waited years for a homegrown newcomer to line up on the F1 grid at home. The team said Câmara will complete his first Formula 1 laps in race conditions in the VF-26.